NaNoWriMo is Near
Posted by annastan on October 9th, 2009. Filed under: Random Fun, Resources.As hard as it might be to believe, November isn’t that far off, and that means it’s almost NaNoWriMo time! I remember first hearing about NaNo about six years ago from a co-worker and thinking, “Write an entire novel in a month? Why would anyone try to do that?” But last year a friend of mine had signed up and I was looking to start a new project, so I figured I’d give it a try.
The experience was intense and exciting and extremely rewarding. I’d never written so much in so few days! The best part was the sense of camaraderie; I knew there were others out there doing the exact same thing as me. The frequent pep emails were invaluable. There’s nothing like having someone cheering for you, telling you that you can do it. That momentum helped me plow through the first draft of a novel (the novel that eventually helped me land my agent!).
Given how worthwhile last year was, I’m absolutely planning to do NaNo again this year. This time I’ll be working on a fairy tale retelling, the first one I’ve ever tried to write. Scary, yes, but I can’t think of a more supportive environment in which to give it a try. I’ll share a bit more info about the project once I have a firmer grasp on it.
Are any of you doing NaNo this year? Have you done it before? What have you gotten (or hope to get) out of the experience?
October 9th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I’m going to get through some revisions. That’s my goal for November. One year the cards will line up and I’ll do NaNo!
October 10th, 2009 at 5:19 am
I’ve heard of a few people who are using November for rewriting. I wonder if we should call it NaNoReWriMo for you all?
October 10th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Are any of you doing NaNo this year? Have you done it before? What have you gotten (or hope to get) out of the experience?
Well, I am.;) I’m using it to kind of get back on track and finish a novel (ideally, two) so I can start editing and submitting to agents/publishers.
I remember the thrill of crossing 50k and screaming a little (well, alot) much to the consternation of my family who’d ask me when I’d get off the computer so they can use it, lol.
I just think it’s such a great accomplishment – pushing myself to write something in a few weeks that’d normally take over a month to write.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Oh yes, there was definitely a bit of shrieking last year when I go to 50k. My husband laughed at me but he was also impressed. Good luck with the novel(s)!
October 10th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I tried this last year. I didn’t make it the whole month. Matter of fact, I didn’t make it but 2 days. Okay…one.
But I am going to try again this year. I have a mystery novel I’ve had on the back burner for 6 years. I think this might be the way to make a breakthrough!
peace,
Donna
October 12th, 2009 at 8:29 am
I doing NaNo for the first time next month. I have not been getting enough writing done this year and have been pathetically inefficient with my writing time. I’m hoping NaNo will give me some real motivation to get over that.
Anna, I’m also going to be writing a fairy tale retelling for the first time. I’ve been calling it a reimagining of “The Little Mermaid.”
Good luck everyone! KT
October 13th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Katie, a retelling of The Little Mermaid sounds great. Yay for retellings! Good luck with it.